News from the Turkish Foreign Ministry

Statement Of The Spokesperson Of The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, Tanju Bilgiç In Response To A Question Regarding “the Crimean Tatar Battalion” , 29.12.2015

QA-36, 29 December 2015

Allegations reported in some media outlets that Turkey has provided or will provide support to volunteer troops that are said to be created in Ukraine's
Kherson province under such names as “The Crimean Tatar Battalion” and “Noman Çelebicihan Battalion” are unfounded.

The statements made by the Russian side upon these groundless allegations to the effect that “Russia once again has been stabbed in the back” are a
continuation of the black propaganda campaign recently being carried out against Turkey.

Turkey has not recognized and will not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea. Turkey will also continue with determination its efforts to protect the
rights and freedoms of the Crimean Tatar people.